GRAHAM Baker is the surprise choice to revive Woking’s fortunes after he was named as manager in the wake of the club’s relegation to Blue Square South on Tuesday night - ending a spell of 17 years in non-league football’s top flight.

Following Woking’s first relegation since 1985, the club’s academy director was unveiled as the man to succeed Phil Gilchrist at a press conference on Wednesday morning, killing speculation that somebody outside the club would be appointed.

Neil Smith is believed to be in the running for the assistant’s role while Cards’ legend Scott Steele could be involved in a coaching capacity as the club focuses on going back to its roots.

Baker, the former Southampton manager, who was installed as caretaker boss when Gilchrist was sacked earlier this month, was overlooked for the vacant post in favour of Frank Gray in the summer of 2007 and was among the applicants along with Kim Grant last year.

But he has done enough in the past five matches, with two wins and a draw among them, to convince the board of directors he is the best option - and perhaps the least expensive.

“I mulled it over and didn’t jump in straight away,” said Baker, who has shown himself to be a loyal servant at Kingfield.

“I realised it was a good opportunity for me and that if I didn’t take it now I might regret it in the future. I will be overseeing all of the football side from the academy, through the reserve team we are introducing next season, right up to the first team.”

Shahid Azeem’s arrival on the board has also been approved subject to confirmation from the FA that he is allowed to continue as chairman of Guildford City, as well as taking on his new Kingfield role.

The 49-year-old IT entrepreneur will form part of a new regime once the restructure of the club’s constitution has been completed - a process likely to take between six to 10 weeks.

The club is being handed back to the fans in terms of the way it will be restructured, with around 100 current shareholders being given the power to elect a new wave of directors.

David Taylor confirmed he would not be seeking re-election as chairman, although he will be putting himself forward for a seat on the new board.

Chris Ingram’s decision to relinquish his responsibilities from the football arm of the club means he will not have a vote on who goes on the football club’s top table, and as owner of the ground he will effectively become landlord.

"Loyalty"

The current directors will all resign once the formalities have been completed, paving the way for a new election process to take place, before Azeem takes centre stage alongside “like-minded” individuals, all high-powered businessmen, which could result in a dramatic revaluation of the budget once they are involved.

“I have spoken to seven or eight people and the reaction from them has all been positive,” said Azeem.

“I have been in and around Guildford in business and watching football for 40 years and the main reason I wanted to get involved was because of the club’s huge potential. I’m excited about the challenge.”

Chairman Taylor declared his thanks to Ingram, and the directors, for their dedication to the club, and insisted the present slump was the culmination of the past 12 years.

And he also maintained that the decision to appoint Baker was not a “panic reaction” on learning of the club’s fate, with results at York City, Grays Athletic and Barrow conspiring to send Woking down.

He said: “We needed to fill the manager’s position urgently and we have been impressed by Graham and his loyalty to the club over many years.

“The new board will not be in place for at least six weeks so it was imperative we acted now as we made the mistake last year of leaving it too long to appoint someone.

"We made the decision to appoint Graham yesterday [Tuesday] at a board meeting and it has nothing to do with results going against us.”

Baker confirmed that no decision had been made in terms of players, although it is understood that Delano Sam-Yorke, Ross Worner, Wilfried Domoraud and Giuseppe Sole have all been offered terms under the Bosman ruling.

The possibility of maintaining the likes of Matt Pattison and Paul Lorraine may have diminished with the club’s nose-dive into Blue Square South, with reports suggesting that two or three Football League clubs are already interested in Pattison in particular.

“The players are still playing for contracts on Sunday at Rushden,” said Baker. “The playing budget is significantly less than last season and the decision on players will be made in the next few weeks. I’m looking for a squad of around 18 to 20.”

Director Peter Jordan added: “It’s the lowest time I’ve known at the club but the important thing is we bounce back and come back stronger than ever."

The Cards will now aim to ensure they finish fourth from bottom with a good result in the final match of the season this weekend at Rushden & Diamonds, just in case the club in the last relegation slot should get a reprieve in the summer.

Meanwhile, a Woking side beat holders Merstham 2-0 in the Surrey Senior Cup semi-final on Tuesday night to set up a clash with Ashford Town on May 5.